Group gradings on finite dimensional incidence algebras (Q2333382)

The authors study incidence algebras over a field \(F\). Assume \(X\) is a partially ordered set and let \(I(X)\) be the corresponding incidence algebra. If \(G\) is a group it is natural to ask what are the \(G\)-gradings on \(I(X)\). Recall that given an algebra \(A\) over \(F\) it is of significant importance to have a description of all \(G\)-gradings on \(A\), by any group \(G\). Such a problem was solved for matrix algebras, for algebras of upper triangular matrices, to list several examples. As the incidence algebras represent, in a way, a generalization of upper triangular matrices, it is natural and important to address the problem for algebras \(I(X)\). In the present paper, the authors describe all group gradings on \(I(X)\) for a finite set \(X\) provided that either the characteristic of \(F\) is 0, or is larger than \(\dim I(X)\), or else the group \(G\) is abelian. Recall that a \(G\)-grading on a subalgebra of \(M_n(F)\) which is generated by matrix units, is good if all matrix units are homogeneous in the grading. A grading is elementary if there exists an \(n\)-tuple \((g_1,\ldots, g_n)\in G^n\) such that the matrix unit \(e_{ij}\) is homogeneous of degree \(g_i g_j^{-1}\). In the case of the upper triangular matrices these two notions coincide while for incidence algebras they do not. A further fact that complicates the study of all \(G\)-gradings on \(I(X)\) is that it can happen there is no multiplicative (homogeneous) basis for \(I(X)\); the authors provide such an example. As already stated, the authors give a complete description of the \(G\)-gradings on \(I(X)\) provided the conditions above are met (Theorem 1). Assuming that the group \(G\) is abelian they obtain much more precise description of the gradings in Theorem 2. The latter theorem can be extended to describing the isomorphism classes of these gradings (see Theorem 34). I found the paper quite interesting and well written. The examples given are rather good and show why one cannot draw a direct parallel with the case of upper triangular matrices.